Verizon Center Opens for Business in New Jersey

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Verizon Communications today officially opened Verizon Center, the company's new operations facility in New Jersey.

New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine and Verizon Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg joined state, county and local officials at a ceremony at the facility here to welcome hundreds of new employees to the state.

At Verizon Center, the company has brought together leadership from its key business units -- Verizon Telecom, Verizon Wireless and Verizon Business -- and other select corporate and support personnel.   Nearly 2,400 Verizon employees work at the complex.

"Opening the Verizon Center is the latest event in a long history of Verizon in New Jersey," said Seidenberg.   "Now we will add more employees to the generations who have worked for our company in this state, and we'll be investing in New Jersey as we deploy and expand the world's premier broadband and wireless networks here."

Gov. Corzine said, "Verizon's decision to choose New Jersey is an example of the partnership needed between business and government to continue building the state's economy, and we will continue attracting and retaining businesses by aggressively marketing our assets -- a well-trained workforce, prime location and a high quality of living.

"The Economic Strategy for New Jersey, which we rolled out last week, will allow us to bolster our state's research and development capacity in high-tech areas like communications so we are better positioned to work with companies that are creating high-tech, high-wage jobs in our state."

The new facility is a 1.3 million-square-foot complex of seven interconnected buildings located on a 135-acre campus.  Over the past 18 months, Verizon renovated nearly every area of the complex, outfitting it with Verizon's cutting-edge, broadband communications network; over 250 conference facilities; a new cafeteria; a television broadcast studio; and other amenities, including a health and physical fitness facility.

Each work area offers both wireless and wired high-speed communications services, including a state-of-the-art voice-over-IP telecommunications platform provided by Verizon Business.   The company also made extensive upgrades to the complex's exterior, landscaping, open spaces and adjacent properties.

Nearly 1,500 employees were relocated to the complex from Verizon locations in 26 states and the District of Columbia.  Hundreds of Verizon Wireless employees from offices in the region have also moved into the complex.  In addition, the company has hired more than 260 new employees at the facility since the beginning of the year.

"We're excited to have this new, high-tech center located in New Jersey," said Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey.  "We're adding jobs and making investments in a facility that will clearly help New Jersey remain a leader in the telecommunications industry."

The nearly 2,400 employees at Verizon Center are among more than 17,500 Verizon employees who live and work in New Jersey.  The company is a major force in the state's economy.  Last year, Verizon invested nearly $900 million - or more than $17 million a week - on its telecom, wireless and business networks and other operations in New Jersey.  As a result of recently approved state legislation that streamlines the video-franchise process, Verizon also committed to accelerate deployment of its industry-leading, all-fiber networks to homes and small businesses.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 55 million customers nationwide.  Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks.  Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers.  Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 252,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com. 

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